Anya G.

                                                  August 7, 1791

Dear Diary,

It has been two days since I have written because father broke the law by getting drunk in a tavern across the road from our house drinking wine and rum with Mr. Young. Mr. Young only drank one bottle of wine so he wasn’t punished. Father imbibed several and also had three large cups of rum. I think it is because he is worried about Molly. But, in the eyes of the law, that is no excuse. He had to sit in the stocks and people threw rotten food at him. I was quite ashamed and cowered in  a corner through the whole day(1. If You Lived in Colonial Times). But the worst part is that when father was drunk he shot the Young’s cow Reeta in the leg so it had to be slaughtered. I am glad I shot 12 blackbirds or I would of been up there with father(2.IYLICT). It is the law that you have to shoot 12 blackbirds or 3 cows but I don't Know why. Mercy said it would be fine and father would get out soon. All I said was that I was sorry about her family’s cow, and she said it was fine. Then she ran off.

Molly has been very pale lately and I am very worried about her and I do not know what to do. Mother says she will be fine but I can see the doubt eyes. Everyday I feel like crying when I look into her bedroom, and I still wonder if Molly is going to die because she is one of my favorite sisters. The red spots on Molly’s body have been getting worse, and I know that if this does not stop she will die because none of the medications that the doctor gives her are working.  

I must work on the roads for father because every man has to work on the town roads a few days a month. Many people did not obey this law so the roads were bad(3.IYLICT). Usually father makes me do his roadwork. He never really does it himself, which makes me mad. There are many laws I hate like poor men cannot wear fancy clothes like a rich man. This is pointless unless you want to feel good and I wonder why you can't kiss your Mother or Father on Sundays (4.IYLICT)(5.IYLICT). But my least favorite law is No laughing or playing games on Sunday (6.IYLICT).

When I get older I hope to work in the in the meetinghouse with the men of the town oops! I got an ink splotch on my paper and wow it’s dark out. The light is fading and I need to stop writing.

Fare thee well,